When Mr Sonawane from Aurangabad opted for a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) after his employer, Pfizer Healthcare India, closed its manufacturing plant, he received Rs 65.21 lakh comprising ex-gratia payment, incentives and notice pay. However, the way he initially reported this payment in his income tax return (ITR) triggered a lengthy legal battle with the Income Tax Department.
While filing his income tax return (ITR), Sonawane treated the Rs 65.21 lakh as advance salary and claimed tax relief under Section 89 of the Income Tax Act. Since this was wrong reporting, the Income Tax Department rejected his claim.